Martyrs' Square, Beirut

Plaza Central Beirut plaza and historic public gathering site

A central square in downtown Beirut long associated with public events and memorials. Tourists arrive to see nearby Ottoman and French Mandate architecture and central Beirut landmarks.

Main image

Martyrs’ Square (Sahat al-Shuhada) is a central public square in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, that commemorates Lebanese and Arab nationalists executed by Ottoman authorities in 1916. The square functions as a civic space and a focal point in the capital’s urban core.

A memorial monument occupies the square and the area has long been used for public gatherings, demonstrations and official ceremonies. The square was heavily affected by the Lebanese Civil War and has been part of post-war reconstruction efforts in Beirut’s central district.

Martyrs’ Square stands at the heart of Beirut’s downtown district, adjacent to major shopping streets, government buildings and transport routes in the city centre.

  • Commemoration: The monument at the centre commemorates Lebanese nationalists executed by Ottoman authorities during World War I and is a focal point for public commemorations and demonstrations.
Martyrs' Square, Beirut
Martyrs' Square (formerly Place des Martyrs), Beirut, Lebanon
33.8964, 35.5072
Public square - open 24 hours

How to Get to Martyrs' Square, Beirut #

In central Beirut. Easily reached on foot from many central neighbourhoods; served by local taxis and city buses. The square is adjacent to the main downtown thoroughfares.

Tips for Visiting Martyrs' Square, Beirut #

  • Visit at early morning to feel the square's quieter dignity and to see vendors setting up.
  • Look for the marble plaques and small memorials embedded around the square that recall different episodes of Lebanon's 20th-century history.
  • Avoid political demonstrations; they recur and can become tense very quickly.

Best Time to Visit Martyrs' Square, Beirut #

Best in spring or autumn for comfortable exploring and street life.

Spring (Mar-May)
Mar-May · 15-25°C (59-77°F)
Mild weather and pleasant for walking around downtown Beirut.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Sep-Nov · 20-28°C (68-82°F)
Comfortable temperatures and active café life.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Dec-Feb · 10-18°C (50-64°F)
Cooler and wetter, but fewer tourist crowds.

Weather & Climate near Martyrs' Square, Beirut #

Climate

Martyrs' Square, Beirut's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 10°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (820 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 97 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (191 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 17°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

191 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

62 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

138 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

108 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).

86 Excellent

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
14° 23°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.9h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
17° 25°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.8h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
14.2h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
14.0h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 30°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
12.3h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 27°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
11.2h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
15° 23°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
12° 19°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

163 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Martyrs' Square, Beirut